R-12 or R-134A???
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Charlotte NC
R-12 or R-134A???
To keep the car original R-12 refrigerant is obviously the correct type to use. However its $30.00 a pound. So would it make much difference to a potential buyer if I changed it to R-134A?? Afterall thats only about $5.00 a pound. And I have heard that the R-134A doesnt cool as well as R-12. Is it that much of a difference or not much at all?
Sorry to be so vague but I am trying to decide which freon to buy and the time is drawing nearer. Original R-12 for added value by keeping the car original or R-134A for a bargain all the way around??? :banghead:
Thanks for the advise!
Jeff :chevy
[Modified by CitrusPilot, 5:03 PM 3/18/2004]
Sorry to be so vague but I am trying to decide which freon to buy and the time is drawing nearer. Original R-12 for added value by keeping the car original or R-134A for a bargain all the way around??? :banghead:
Thanks for the advise!
Jeff :chevy
[Modified by CitrusPilot, 5:03 PM 3/18/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Re: R-12 or R-134A??? (CitrusPilot)
If you just need to add some, stay R12. Total system re-do, then go 134. In my opinion I would stay R12 until you can't get it anymore. What is $100 to the total price of a $15-30k car? Whatever you do DON'T go with a blend. In a blend the molecules are different sizes, you can lose all the small ones and have the big ones left-then the system will be out of balance and require a total evacuate and recharge. My .02
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Thomasville Ga
Re: R-12 or R-134A??? (markdtn)
I just did a total evac and re-charged with R-134A.
Seems as cold as any other car I've had.
Still workin on the blower, though!
Besides...isn't the R-134A more environmentally friendly?
:flag
Seems as cold as any other car I've had.
Still workin on the blower, though!
Besides...isn't the R-134A more environmentally friendly?
:flag
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Re: R-12 or R-134A??? (markdtn)
:iagree: i have 2 1/2 cs. of r-12 got for repairs and TRUE resto's i'm going to the newer small compressor and 134a on my 76 P/U for space,ease
of repair cost, etc. :thumbs: OH YA' for the planet to :hurray:
of repair cost, etc. :thumbs: OH YA' for the planet to :hurray:
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Re: R-12 or R-134A??? (CitrusPilot)
I plan to go R-134 on this iteration of the A/C. I have 12 cans of Freon left from my mega purchase several years ago, but R-134 is so much easier to get and the charging hoses seal so much better. I won't have to worry as much about losing the Freon (It seems like a seal breaks, the hose leaks, or something happens to waste some Freon). Use the ester oil and a variable orifice tube and it will cool fine.
Here's another hint. The pathway from the cowl to the evaporator has vitually nothing to stop crap from getting in. I redid everything last year except the evaporator, and of course went with R-12 for the refill. I was very disappointed in the results. It didn't cool very well at all. When I took it apart in January (the engine is out and I'm fixing everything I can), I found leaves and debris clogging 5/6 of the evaporator surface. Small wonder why it wasn't cooling properly. I plan to put a screen on the cowl side to block the big stuff.
Here's another hint. The pathway from the cowl to the evaporator has vitually nothing to stop crap from getting in. I redid everything last year except the evaporator, and of course went with R-12 for the refill. I was very disappointed in the results. It didn't cool very well at all. When I took it apart in January (the engine is out and I'm fixing everything I can), I found leaves and debris clogging 5/6 of the evaporator surface. Small wonder why it wasn't cooling properly. I plan to put a screen on the cowl side to block the big stuff.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: R-12 or R-134A??? (fjetb)
I just did a total evac and re-charged with R-134A.
Seems as cold as any other car I've had.
Seems as cold as any other car I've had.
